News: Gallery 2506 Opens in Logan Square

Last week, longtime friends Kathleen Burnett and Teresa Grammatke opened the doors to Gallery 2506, a commercial gallery in Logan Square. The launch of their “Perception” exhibition, which runs through May 29, marked its grand opening. This show, and those that follow, focuses on beauty—a key component of Gallery 2506’s mission.

“Beauty is essential in our lives, and this mission provides the opportunity to talk with our clients about what beauty is, what they desire to experience, and to create an environment that they feel comfortable in looking at and buying art,” explains Burnett, creative director and curator, in an email interview. Burnett says it is critical to consider what beauty is: its multidimensionality and subjectivity. Their first exhibition, “Perception,” does just that.

“Perception” examines the importance of beauty, its various representations and its meaning. According to Burnett, the nine artists who make up this show consider how beauty is perceived and received through different media, including wood, photography, ceramics, paint, collage and sculpture; each artist contributes in a different way to the same theme. Noting that “beauty is not one thing,” future shows will continue to explore this concept.

It was ideal timing for Burnett, Grammatke and Logan Square to open Gallery 2506. “The community support has been phenomenal,” Burnett says. The partnership not only reflects a “shared love of art and a desire to create something meaningful for our neighborhood,” but also brings together two diverse backgrounds and skill sets.

Kathleen Burnett (left) and Teresa Grammatke (right) have partnered to open Gallery 2506.

Previously the director of performance programs at the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC), Burnett will draw upon her nine years’ experience at AIC during this new venture. “I spent a great deal of time developing relationships with artists, musicians, dancers, actors and writers, and developed programs to heighten the experience of looking at art in the galleries,” Burnett says. “This will become the foundation of our gallery as a place for our community to enjoy great art experiences.”

Grammatke, chief operating officer, has eighteen years experience in marketing and online sales. She uses her past positions, including client services and sales, in her current role; she also focuses on marketing the gallery and managing customer relations. “Kathleen and I have discovered that our different backgrounds have meshed really well together,” Grammatke says in an email. “She can focus on the creative direction of the gallery, while I focus on the operations.” (Amy Haddad)

Gallery 2506 is located at 2506 North California Avenue in Logan Square. Its “Perception” exhibition continues through May 29.